A comprehensive exploration through integrative taxonomic revision of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Formicinae) in Vietnam

Invasive species pose threats to human health, are costly to manage, and disrupt ecosystems. The inability to identify non-native species in their early stages of invasion is challenging and can hinder efforts towards effective invasive species management. This is exemplified by Nylanderia ants, a widely collected ant genus with over 130 described species and hundreds more awaiting description. The regions with the highest number of Nylanderia species and needing taxonomic revision are Australasia and Asia, which are believed to be the native ranges of the most widely distributed and invasive Nylanderia species. In this study, we revise the taxonomy of Vietnamese Nylanderia with the description of five new species. A total of 11 species are documented including four new records. Our molecular phylogeny of Vietnamese Nylanderia, based on Ultra Conserved Elements (UCE) data, suggests that Nylanderia integera is not a true member of the genus Nylanderia and is thus provided with a new combination as Zatania integera (comb. nov.). This further confirms the first record of the genus Zatania in Asia. Additionally, the present work provides an illustrated identification key for the Nylanderia species occurring in Vietnam based on the worker caste.